Uncle Silas eBook

Of Doctor Bryerly, though staying in the house, we
saw almost nothing, except for an hour or so at tea-time.
He breakfasted very early, and dined solitarily, and
at uncertain hours, as business permitted.

The second evening of his visit, Cousin Monica took
occasion to introduce the subject of his visit to
Bartram-Haugh.

‘You saw him, of course?’ said Lady Knollys.

’Yes, he saw me; he was not well. On hearing
who I was, he asked me to go to his room, where he
sat in a silk dressing-gown and slippers.’

‘About business principally,’ said Cousin
Monica, laconically.

’That was despatched in very few words; for
he was quite resolved, and placed his refusal upon
grounds which it was difficult to dispute. But
difficult or no, mind you, he intimated that he would
hear nothing more on the subject—­so that
was closed.’

‘Well; and what is his religion now?’
inquired she, irreverently.

’We had some interesting conversation on the
subject. He leans much to what we call the doctrine
of correspondents. He is read rather deeply in
the writings of Swedenborg, and seemed anxious to
discuss some points with one who professes to be his
follower. To say truth, I did not expect to find
him either so well read or so deeply interested in
the subject.’

‘Was he angry when it was proposed that he should
vacate the guardianship?’

’Not at all. Contrariwise, he said he had
at first been so minded himself. His years, his
habits, and something of the unfitness of the situation,
the remoteness of Bartram-Haugh from good teachers,
and all that, had struck him, and nearly determined
him against accepting the office. But then came
the views which I stated in my letter, and they governed
him; and nothing could shake them, he said, or induce
him to re-open the question in his own mind.’

All the time Doctor Bryerly was relating his conference
with the head of the family at Bartram-Haugh my cousin
commented on the narrative with a variety of little
‘pishes’ and sneers, which I thought showed
more of vexation than contempt.

I was glad to hear all that Doctor Bryerly related.
It gave me a kind of confidence; and I experienced
a momentary reaction. After all, could Bartram-Haugh
be more lonely than I had found Knowl? Was I not
sure of the society of my Cousin Millicent, who was
about my own age? Was it not quite possible that
my sojourn in Derbyshire might turn out a happy though
very quiet remembrance through all my after-life?
Why should it not? What time or place would be
happy if we gave ourselves over to dismal imaginations?

So the summons reached me from Uncle Silas. The
hours at Knowl were numbered.

The evening before I departed I visited the full-length
portrait of Uncle Silas, and studied it for the last
time carefully, with deep interest, for many minutes;
but with results vaguer than ever.